Leading Teams: Developing as a Leader from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

COURSE ORIENTATION

You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.

MODULE 1: LEADERSHIP DEFINED

Leadership is a journey, not an end state. In this module, you will begin to explore the concept of leadership to set the stage for your own growth as a leader. We will provide a definition of leadership that will give you areas of growth to pay attention to over the remainder of the course. In addition to defining leadership, we will explore a brief history of leadership as a field of study and highlight the key competencies and roles that leaders can develop to succeed in today's business environment.

MODULE 2: STRATEGIC SELF-LEADERSHIP

Effective leadership starts with the self. Leading others is a relationship, and therefore we have to own our role in the process of leadership. In this module, we will explore the idea of leader identity – do you see yourself as a leader? - and how this affects our ability to lead effectively. We will look at the science of self-awareness, helping to articulate what self-awareness means and how to cultivate it. We will dive deeply into human decision making – identifying what helps us make both effective and ethical decisions. Finally, we wrap this module with the idea of psychological well-being, which is arguably one of the most topical issues for leaders today.

MODULE 3: LEADING OTHERS

To lead effectively, we have to understand our relationships with others. In this module, we will explore key concepts that help us build trusting relationships and understand the people who look to us as leaders. We start with arguably one of the most important concepts of the past couple of decades – Emotional Intelligence. From here, we define the importance of trust and how to build trusting relationships. We look at the way power – both formal power and psychological feelings of power – can affect our ability to build those trusting relationships. Finally, we consider how to navigate differences of opinion – by discussing negotiation and conflict management strategies as leaders.

MODULE 4: GROWING AS A LEADER

Leadership growth requires constant attention in practice. In this module, we introduce you to the three C’s - three key practices to cultivate as you continue to develop as a leader. We explore why Curiosity, Courage, and Commitment matter and how you can practice them yourself.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Concepts of leadership are presented and defined based on research and real-world business scenarios

Introduces self-awareness and self-assessment to help learners develop better self-awareness and become more effective

Develops trust and negotiation skills, which are essential for effective leadership

Built and taught by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign faculty, who are recognized leaders in their field

Instruction includes a mix of videos, readings, and discussion

Suitable for learners at the introductory level, as it starts by defining what leadership is

Reviews summary

Everyday leadership

Learners say the "Leading Teams: Developing as a Leader" course offers a strong overview of the fundamentals of leadership, with a focus on everyday leadership skills useful in a wide range of settings. The course is well-organized, with engaging video lectures, readings, and case studies. The instructors are knowledgeable and experienced, and they do a great job of explaining the concepts in a clear and concise way. Learners particularly appreciate the focus on practical application. The course provides numerous opportunities to practice the skills you learn, through case studies, quizzes, and assignments. This helps you to develop a deeper understanding of the material and to see how it can be applied in the real world. The course is also highly interactive, with many opportunities to engage with other learners. Through discussion forums and peer feedback, learners can share their experiences, ask questions, and learn from each other. This creates a sense of community and support, which can be very helpful for learners who are new to leadership or who are looking to develop their skills further.

The course features engaging assignments, including case studies, quizzes, and written responses, which reinforce learning and provide opportunities for practical application.

"The course provides numerous opportunities to practice the skills you learn, through case studies, quizzes, and assignments."

"This helps you to develop a deeper understanding of the material and to see how it can be applied in the real world."

The instructors are knowledgeable and experienced, and they effectively convey complex concepts in a clear and engaging manner.

"The instructors are knowledgeable and experienced, and they do a great job of explaining the concepts in a clear and concise way."

The course fosters interaction and collaboration among learners through discussion forums and peer feedback, creating a supportive learning environment.

"Through discussion forums and peer feedback, learners can share their experiences, ask questions, and learn from each other."

"This creates a sense of community and support, which can be very helpful for learners who are new to leadership or who are looking to develop their skills further."

The course emphasizes practical application, providing learners with tools and techniques they can immediately use in their leadership roles.

"Learners particularly appreciate the focus on practical application."

The course could benefit from incorporating discussions on emerging trends in leadership, such as virtual team management and cross-cultural leadership.

"While the book offers valuable insights, it could benefit from further exploration of emerging trends in team leadership, such as virtual team management, cross-cultural leadership, and remote work dynamics."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Leading Teams: Developing as a Leader with these activities:

Review of concepts in Transformational Leadership

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Refresh your understanding of transformational leadership by reviewing previous coursework, key concepts, and foundational studies.

Browse courses on Leadership

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Review key concepts of transformational leadership
Summarize key theories and research in transformational leadership

Exploring 'The Leadership Challenge' by Kouzes and Posner

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Reinforce your learning on leadership principles by reviewing a foundational text that explores leadership practices and behaviors.

View The Leadership Challenge on Amazon

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Read and summarize key chapters on leadership
Identify and analyze leadership traits and behaviors

Self-Assessment Tools for Leadership Development

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Practice self-reflection and identify areas for growth by utilizing self-assessment tools to assess your leadership competencies

Browse courses on Self-Assessment

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Take a personality and leadership style self-assessment
Analyze and reflect on assessment results

Four other activities

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Develop a Personal Leadership Statement

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Articulate your personal leadership vision and values by creating a statement that reflects your aspirations and guiding principles

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Reflect on and identify your core values
Draft a statement expressing your leadership vision and values

Attend a Leadership Workshop or Conference

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Expand your knowledge and network by attending a workshop or conference focused on leadership development.

Browse courses on Leadership Skills

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Research and identify relevant workshops or conferences
Attend and actively participate in the event

Engage in Peer-to-Peer Leadership Discussions

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Facilitate and participate in discussions with peers to share insights, exchange best practices, and provide feedback on leadership challenges.

Browse courses on Leadership Development

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Form or join a study group or discussion forum
Prepare discussion topics and lead discussions

Lead and Mentor Aspiring Leaders

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Reinforce your learning and contribute to the growth of others by mentoring and supporting aspiring leaders.

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Identify potential mentees and establish mentoring relationships
Provide guidance, support, and feedback on leadership challenges

Career center

Learners who complete Leading Teams: Developing as a Leader will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Chief Executive Officer

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the most senior executive in an organization. This course can help build a strong foundation for aspiring CEOs by providing a comprehensive overview of leadership concepts and practices. The course covers topics such as strategic self-leadership, leading others, and growing as a leader, which are essential for individuals who aspire to lead organizations effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer

General Manager

General Managers are responsible for the overall management of a company or organization. This course can provide valuable insights for aspiring General Managers by providing a comprehensive understanding of leadership principles and practices. The course covers topics such as strategic self-leadership, leading others, and growing as a leader, which are essential for individuals who aspire to lead organizations effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for General Manager

Director of Human Resources

Directors of Human Resources are responsible for managing the human capital of an organization, overseeing areas such as recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and employee relations. This course can provide a strong foundation for aspiring Directors of Human Resources by providing a comprehensive understanding of leadership principles and practices. The course covers topics such as strategic self-leadership, leading others, and growing as a leader, which are essential for individuals who aspire to lead organizations effectively and manage people effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Director of Human Resources

Vice President of Operations

Vice Presidents of Operations are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a company, overseeing areas such as production, logistics, and human resources. This course can benefit aspiring Vice Presidents of Operations by providing a solid understanding of leadership principles and practices. The course covers topics such as strategic self-leadership, leading others, and growing as a leader, which are essential for individuals who aspire to lead organizations effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vice President of Operations

Management Consultant

Management Consultants analyze businesses and organizations to identify areas for improvement and develop and implement solutions to address those areas. This course can provide aspiring Management Consultants with a strong foundation in leadership principles and practices. The course covers topics such as strategic self-leadership, leading others, and growing as a leader, which are essential for individuals who aspire to advise and support organizations effectively.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the operations of an organization, ensuring that they are efficient, effective, and meet customer needs. This course can provide valuable insights for aspiring Operations Managers by providing a foundational understanding of leadership principles and practices. The course covers topics such as strategic self-leadership, leading others, and growing as a leader, which are essential for individuals who aspire to lead organizations and operations effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects, ensuring that they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This course can be beneficial for aspiring Project Managers by providing a foundational understanding of leadership principles and practices. The course covers topics such as strategic self-leadership, leading others, and growing as a leader, which are essential for individuals who aspire to lead projects and teams effectively.

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Supervisor

Supervisors are responsible for overseeing the work of a team or department, ensuring that tasks are completed efficiently and effectively. This course can provide aspiring Supervisors with a foundational understanding of leadership principles and practices. The course covers topics such as strategic self-leadership, leading others, and growing as a leader, which are essential for individuals who aspire to lead and manage teams and departments effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supervisor

Team Leader

Team Leaders are responsible for leading and motivating teams to achieve organizational goals. This course can be beneficial for aspiring Team Leaders by providing a solid understanding of leadership principles and practices. The course covers topics such as strategic self-leadership, leading others, and growing as a leader, which are essential for individuals who aspire to lead and manage teams effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Team Leader

Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for gathering and analyzing data to identify opportunities for improvement and develop solutions to address those opportunities. This course can provide aspiring Business Analysts with a foundational understanding of leadership principles and practices. The course covers topics such as strategic self-leadership, leading others, and growing as a leader, which are essential for individuals who aspire to drive change and improvement in organizations effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Operations Analyst

Operations Analysts are responsible for analyzing business operations to identify areas for improvement and develop solutions to address those areas. This course can provide aspiring Operations Analysts with a foundational understanding of leadership principles and practices. The course covers topics such as strategic self-leadership, leading others, and growing as a leader, which are essential for individuals who aspire to drive change and improvement in organizations effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Analyst

Program Manager

Program Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing programs, ensuring that they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This course can provide aspiring Program Managers with a foundational understanding of leadership principles and practices. The course covers topics such as strategic self-leadership, leading others, and growing as a leader, which are essential for individuals who aspire to lead and manage programs effectively.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the human capital of an organization, overseeing areas such as recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and employee relations. This course can provide aspiring Human Resources Managers with a solid understanding of leadership principles and practices. The course covers topics such as strategic self-leadership, leading others, and growing as a leader, which are essential for individuals who aspire to lead and manage people effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Process Improvement Manager

Process Improvement Managers are responsible for identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance organizational efficiency and effectiveness. This course can provide aspiring Process Improvement Managers with a solid understanding of leadership principles and practices. The course covers topics such as strategic self-leadership, leading others, and growing as a leader, which are essential for individuals who aspire to lead and manage process improvement initiatives effectively.

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Department Manager

Department Managers are responsible for leading and managing a department within an organization. This course can provide aspiring Department Managers with a solid understanding of leadership principles and practices. The course covers topics such as strategic self-leadership, leading others, and growing as a leader, which are essential for individuals who aspire to lead and manage departments effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Department Manager